Polley Park skatepark plan presented to Norristown planners; waivers requested, no quorum for vote

Cornerstone Consulting presented preliminary and final land development plans for a proposed skatepark at Polley Park in Norristown, and requested multiple code waivers to accommodate existing conditions, planners heard on the record.

"My name is Kevin Frook. I'm with Cornerstone Consulting," Frook said, introducing the project and describing the existing gravel parking area, proposed ADA parking, pavilions and skate features including a bowl and ramps. Frook said the site sits adjacent to Stoney Creek and includes a proposed rain garden to address stormwater.

Frook listed several waiver requests by code section to reflect existing site constraints: waivers to waive detailed tree inventory labeling for 4-inch and 6-inch trees, waivers for riparian-corridor encroachment to allow redevelopment adjacent to the stream, exceptions to the tree-replacement formulas, and a waiver from providing a 100-foot stream buffer along Stoney Creek.

A municipal staff member said staff reviewed the waiver requests and supports them. "We did go through all the waivers, and we're okay with those waivers, because this is a, you know, municipal project," the staff member said, adding that replacing every tree would be expensive and that retained trees would be protected.

The chair asked for confirmation that trees to remain would have protections; the staff member said tree-protection fencing will be required during construction. Frook described additional plantings that would be added — shrubs around the parking area, trees within the parking lot and basin plantings — while noting they are not a one-for-one replacement of all removed trunks.

A participant recalled earlier comments from police about visibility and said full screening is not possible because officers need sightlines into the park. The staff member confirmed the skatepark is a design-build component and said municipal amenities such as fencing and parking will be handled by the municipality; staff said once the planning body approves the plan it will then go to the council and be ready for construction.

The planning body did not have quorum and therefore did not take formal votes or approve minutes at the meeting; the discussion was placed on the record and will proceed to the next step of review. The meeting adjourned with attendees expressing support and no specific recommendations recorded.

Next steps: staff indicated the plan will be forwarded to the municipal council for action; no schedule or council vote date was specified during the meeting.